Military Concludes DMZ Explosion Caused by North Korean-Planted Landmine... Urges Apology and Removal

Joint Chiefs Announce Final Investigation Results
North Korean Minefield South of MDL Cleared Today
"Deliberately Planted, Not Lost Mines... Armistice Agreement Violated"
Removal Operations to Continue Unless North Korea Clears Mines Voluntarily

The South Korean military authorities have concluded that the cause of the landmine explosion that injured three soldiers in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) along the western front on September 21 was a landmine planted by North Korean forces south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). The military has since removed the area’s North Korean minefield and called on North Korea to apologize for the injured soldiers and to immediately clear the remaining mines.

Hyunwoo Kang, Chief of Operations at the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is entering the briefing room at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 30th to make a statement regarding the mine explosion in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Kwon Daewon, Deputy Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, announced the final findings of the joint field investigation task force on October 5 at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, stating, "Based on the results of the joint investigation with the United Nations Command and scientific evidence, we have concluded that our soldiers were injured by North Korean anti-personnel mines—specifically resin anti-personnel mines—planted south of the MDL under the pretext of so-called 'border fortification' work by North Korea."

The South Korean military and the United Nations Command conducted a joint investigation at the site from September 26 to September 29. Based on location checks using the Global Positioning System (GPS), both the first and second explosion sites and an additional North Korean resin anti-personnel mine discovered on September 29 were found to be about 10 meters south of the MDL. The United Nations Command determined that since the North Korean mines were installed south of the MDL, this constituted a violation of the Armistice Agreement.

The type of explosive was also identified by the National Forensic Service. A component analysis of the injured soldiers' gear revealed traces of TNT, thermosetting resin, and brown foreign substances. In addition, fragments found in the soldiers matched North Korean resin anti-personnel mines previously recovered from the Imjin River, confirming that they were the same type.

The South Korean military determined that these mines were intentionally buried by North Korean forces and were not lost mines that drifted naturally. At the time of the incident, the mines identified by the soldiers were buried approximately 5 to 10 centimeters below the surface, while the additional mine found was about 3 centimeters deep. The United Nations Command concluded that the mine was deliberately installed and assessed that it had been buried within the last 12 months.

As a result, at approximately 12:51 p.m. on the same day, the military carried out an operation to remove the North Korean minefield in the vicinity of the explosion site. Deputy Director Kwon explained, "We conducted the operation safely, working closely with the United Nations Command, adhering to the Armistice Agreement, and taking measures to prevent accidental clashes."

The military has stated that if North Korea does not remove the mines it installed south of the MDL on its own initiative, removal operations will continue. Deputy Director Kwon urged, "North Korea should sincerely apologize to our soldiers injured in this landmine explosion and immediately remove all mines it illegally placed in violation of the Armistice Agreement."

At the time of the incident on September 21, soldiers from the 25th Division were clearing a patrol route ahead of a site investigation to confirm suspicions of North Korean mine-laying activities. During this process, two landmines exploded in quick succession, resulting in moderate to serious injuries for three officers.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.